The Hemel Hempstead School Issue 997

21 October 2016

Email: parentmail@hemelhempsteadschool.co.uk Website: www.hhs.herts.sch.uk

HeadLines This week’s Headlines are provided by the Chair of our Governing Body, Paul Stanbridge

Dear Parents/Carers

The governing body is taking on additional responsibilities and needs to appoint at least two new governors. We would like your help to find them. The people we appoint must be committed to supporting the school and wholeheartedly embrace the role of a governor. Although the governing body already has a good spread of different skills and experiences among its members, we would ideally like our new colleagues to have one or more of the following:

experience of financial planning/management

experience of premises or personnel management

link with local business

involvement in the local community

If you know someone who might be suitable please either pass them this Newsletter or ask them to send their name, contact details and a brief description of the skills and experience they could offer to the governing body to:

Chair of the Governing Body, The Hemel Hempstead School, Heath Lane Hemel Hempstead HP1 1TX

or email: p.stanbridge@hemelschool.com

The closing date is Monday 14 November, and we would like to meet any suitable candidates on Tuesday 22 November from 6 pm.

IMPORTANT Please note that these particular posts are NOT open to:

parents of students currently at the school

members of the school staff

elected members of Hertfordshire County Council (HCC)

anyone who works for HCC in connection with its education functions.

Yours sincerely

Paul Stanbridge Chair of the Governing Body Patrick Harty Headteacher

HEADTEACHER’S CERTIFICATE

For Service to the Community – presentation at Oxbridge Evening

Sarah Lister 13P

Are you interested in training to become a secondary school teacher? If so, please see the attached letter and flyer regarding the School Direct Programme. Other flyer attached: DBC ‘Enjoy Dacorum’ Halloween Party

Gold Letters issued recently: Letter 39 Yr11 Trial Examinations Letter 43 GCSE PE Revision Pack Letter 44 Year 7 and 8 Film Night Letter 45 Year 13 A Level Ethics and Philosophy Conference

Dates for Your Diary

OCTOBER

***Gold Week*** 31st Year 10 GCSE Art visit to National and National Portrait Galleries, 9 am – 3.30 pm Year 7 Author Visit, Hall, Lesson 1 Year 7 Author Workshops (selected students), Library, 10 am – 3.30 pm NOVEMBER 1st School closes to Students at 2.15 pm Year 13 Physics CERN trip Information Evening, M9, 6 – 6.30 pm 3rd Years 7 & 8 Film Night, Hall, 6.30 – 9 pm ***Blue Week*** 7th Year 12 Maths in Action trip, 9 am – 5 pm 8th Years 12 & 13 Senior Maths Challenge (selected students), Hall, 11.25 am – 12.30 pm 9th House Music and Dance Technical Rehearsal, Hall, 3.45 – 5.15 pm Dacorum Young Chef Final (Year 10), TEC 8&9, 5 – 9.30 pm 10th House Music and Dance, Hall, 7 – 9.30 pm 11th Years 7 – 13 Reports issued The Newsletter is blue or gold to correspond with the blue or gold timetable of the following week.

Music Department News

Students visit Lime Walk Primary School

We are frequently contacted by local primary schools who are looking for some older students to perform and inspire their youngsters. On Friday 14th October some of our students visited Lime Walk Primary School. We took a range of instruments, some of which they may not have been exposed to before; oboe, saxophone, violin, trumpet and voice. Sam, Lewis, Natacha, Maria and Hannah all performed a solo piece and pupils from Lime Walk were able to share what they knew already or their descriptions of what they heard. SSA Choir Performance at St Mary’s Church

Some members of our SSA choir were lucky enough to perform recently as part of the Hemel Hempstead Autumn Arts and Music Festival being held at St Mary's Church in the Old Town. It was a well-attended concert with three outstanding musicians; Rufus Frowde on Organ and piano, Nazrin Rashidova on Violin and Anna Menzies on Cello. The concert was a superb mix of solo, ensemble and choral pieces. It was a very demanding few weeks getting the girls ready to perform; they had to learn some challenging music in a very short time. However, they delivered an excellent performance with great musicianship and sensitivity. It was a fabulous experience for our students to perform at this public concert, with an attentive audience and in such a beautiful setting. It was a privilege to share the stage with such exceptional musicians and yet again our students did The Hemel Hempstead School proud.

Mrs Bailey, Head of Performing Arts

Staff Vacancy

Post: Learning Support Assistant (SEND) – Key Stage 3 Intervention 37 hours per week Monday to Friday Fixed Term 2 Year Contract Pay scale: H3 Salary: £16,481 to £17,547 pro-rata

We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed person as a Learning Support Assistant, to assist in the support and inclusion of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities/diverse learning needs within a mainstream school. The Core purpose of this role is to support, develop and deliver the Key Stage 3 English and Mathematics intervention programme.

Further details, including application forms, are available on our website at www.hemelhempsteadschool.co.uk. Please send completed forms to Mr S Robinson, School Business Manager, The Hemel Hempstead School, Heath Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 1TX. Tel: 01442 390100, email: admin@hhs.herts.sch.uk by the closing date. Please note, if you have not been contacted within one week of the closing date you have not been shortlisted for interview.

Library Notice After half term the computer booking system will be re-introduced in the Library. The computers will be available for work only. If you need to use a computer at lunchtime you will need to book in at the Library desk. You may book up to 24 hours in advance. This system will also apply to Sixth Formers, who will be given priority.

Mrs Krajewski, Librarian

House Events News House Music and Dance – Thursday 10th November Preparations are well underway for this popular event; rehearsals will begin as soon as we come back after half term. Tickets will be on sale from Student Services from Thursday 3rd November every break and lunchtime and will cost £5 each. House Sports Week This week saw the first House event of the year – the first House Sports Week, which featured competitions in football and netball. So far, we have seen a high level of interest with nearly 50% of students in Years 7 and 8 participating in another successful House event. Much of the credit must go to Miss Lowe and the PE Faculty for their leadership of this extensive activity. House Assemblies The first House Assemblies took place this week and they included the announcement of the new House Representatives for each House. Thank you to all the House Captains and House Event Co-ordinators for their work in making sure every student is informed about House events for the coming year. House Challenges Each House has been set a challenge to complete over the year with the aim of improving their performance in the House Cup. Each House’s challenge is –

Ashridge – To improve overall performance in the School Cup – ensuring that figures in attendance and rewards and consequences are better than 2015-16. Chalfont - To win at least one House event – last year Chalfont were the only House not to win a House event. Flaunden – To make a great start and be more consistent in the House Cup. Latimer – To improve overall performance in the School Cup – particularly in attendance figures. Nettleden – To win either the School Cup or the House Events Cup – Nettleden came second in both last year. Pendley – To be more consistent in House events – last year in House events, Pendley held 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th places in various House events, the only House to do so.

Mr Mitchell, Student Leadership Co-ordinator

School Production Primary School Transition Project ‘The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces’ is an original adaptation based on the story by the Brothers Grimm. It was composed by Julian Dawes and performed by Key Stage 3 students on Wednesday 12th October. There were 23 cast members who sang over live music performed by a mixture of professional musicians and students of the school. The show was performed twice during the day to Year 6 students from three different primary schools. The aim of this transition project was to give the primary students a memorable experience and a real taste of some of the opportunities available to them at The Hemel Hempstead School. Fun was had by all and many of the students commented on how excited they were to think about being involved in a similar project themselves.

Mr Langley, Acting Head of Year 7

Year 9 Geography Trip to Dorset On Monday 10th and Monday 17th October Year 9 students visited the Dorset Coast on a Geography Fieldtrip. The glorious sunny weather on Monday 10th showed the unique landforms of this fascinating stretch of coastline in their best light, and we were lucky that the rain held off for Monday 17th as well. Students visited Durdle Door and followed the coastal path to Stair Hole and Lulworth Cove before visiting Swanage to assess the effectiveness of the coastal management. The trip provides a valuable introduction to GCSE Geography and despite the long coach journey students had enjoyable and informative days.

Mr Williams, Head of Humanities Faculty

The Hemel Hempstead School Association

PTA News EasyFundRaising: You can help the HHSA to collect free donations every time you shop for anything, from groceries to getaways, in three easy steps: 1. Join - It's easy to get started, visit http://easyfundraising.org.uk, search for Hemel Hempstead School Association as the charity/organisation you wish to support. You can also register and login from your mobile devices, using the easyfundraising app available in your usual App Store. 2. Shop - From travel to toasters, every time you shop, do it the easyfundraising way. 3. Collect - Help out when you check out - it doesn't cost you a penny extra, and you can make a big difference. School Uniform: The HHSA would be very pleased to accept donations of unwanted school uniform, especially PE kit. Please deliver it to Student Services during school hours, or contact our uniform co-ordinators Donna Jelley (tel: 07957 490412, email: donjelley2@yahoo.com) or Charlotte Ashton (tel: 07788 636032), either of whom will be delighted to help. Forthcoming Events: The HHSA will be providing refreshments and will need your help to set up, serve and clear away. Please let us know if you can spare some time. If you are unable to help for a full session, please consider joining us for part of the time. House Music and Dance: Thursday 10th November 2016 (7 – 9.30 pm) Christmas Concert: Friday 9th December 2016 (7 – 10.30 pm) Carol Service at St. John’s Church: Monday 12th December 2016 (7 – 8.15 pm) Preloved Sale: We are planning to hold a sale at the end of January 2017 (date to be arranged) from 10 am to 12 noon, in the School Hall. You can help us to raise funds by donating any unwanted saleable clothes, toys, bric-a-brac, household and electrical items, CDs, DVDs, and books. Please leave your donations at Student Services, during school hours. There will also be an opportunity to deliver items to the school on a Saturday morning (date to be arranged). Next Meeting: Tuesday 22nd November 2016, at 7pm in the School Library. Facebook: Please search for ‘Hemel Hempstead School Association’ and ‘Like’ our page. School website, HHSA Page: www.hhs.herts.sch.uk/parents/hhsa/ Includes minutes of meetings, second hand uniform, and ways you can help to raise funds. Contact: Brian Spencer, HHSA Chair Tel: 07710 905759 Email: hhsa.chair@gmail.com

SPORTS NEWS FIXTURES Monday 31st October Year 9 Boys Football v Verulam (A), 3 pm KO Tuesday 1st November U14 Badminton Tournament @ Cavendish, 4 pm Wednesday 2nd November Years 8 & 9 Indoor Athletics Competition @ Lea Valley, 4 pm Thursday 3rd November Year 7 Boys Football v Kings Langley (A) 2.30 pm KO Friday 4th November U13 & U15 Girls Rugby Festival @ Hertford Rugby Club, all day RESULTS Year 7 Netball v Ashlyns won 12-2 Year 9 Netball v Berkhamsted lost 22-12 Year 10 Netball v Berkhamsted lost 38-9 Year 9 Boys Football v Cavendish won 4-3 Year 10 B Team Football v Astley Cooper A Team won 3-2 Year 11 Netball v Longdean won 19-17 Year 8 Netball v JFK lost 12-11 Year 8 Rugby League v Verulam won 38-0 Year 8 Rugby League County Champions Congratulations to the Year 8 Boys Rugby Team who beat Verulam 38-0 on Thursday to be crowned County Champions for the second year running. The boys will now progress to the regional finals where they will represent Hertfordshire.

PE Faculty

Careers Information Pilot Careers Live is Europe’s largest independent flight training careers exhibition, aimed at anyone interested in becoming an airline pilot. It takes place on Saturday 5th November between 10 am – 4.30 pm at Sofitel, Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport, TW6 2GD. All the leading flight training organisations, flight training experts, aviation academies, universities and airlines will be there. The day will also feature a series of presentations covering topics such as British Airways, National Air Traffic Service, financing your career, helicopter careers and a university panel. For more information and to book advance tickets, please visit their website at: www.pilotcareernews.com/live

Miss Bond, Careers Coordinator

The Hemel Hempstead School Heath Lane 01442 390100 (t) Hemel Hempstead 01442 233706 (f) Hertfordshire admin@hhs.herts.sch.uk (e) HP1 1TX parent contact email: www.hemelhempsteadschool.co.uk parentmail@hemelhempsteadschool.co.uk

Headteacher: Patrick Harty BSc. M.A. (Ed)

21 October 2016

Dear Parent/Carer Are you interested in training to become a secondary school teacher? Our school is part of a growing number of schools leading the way for more school-led teacher training. This is really important to us because it means we can choose the very best talent and develop them into teachers. Being able to choose who we train as teachers helps us in delivering the best outcomes for the students at The Hemel Hempstead School. We have vacancies now to start training from September 2017 and we would be very interested to hear from you if you are thinking of becoming a teacher, or know someone who is. We’re looking for people who have (or will have) a degree, have a passion for teaching and want to inspire young people to fulfil their potential. An open afternoon will be held on Thursday 17th November at 2.30 pm at Kings Langley School for anyone interested in having a chat with us about the exciting teacher training opportunities available or alternatively please contact Fiona Winfield (Principal Deputy at Kings Langley School) via winfieldf@kls.herts.sch.uk/ 01923 264504 for further information. We can also provide you with support and guidance on your application form and offer you school experience if you just want a taster of what teaching could be like. For further information on what becoming a teacher might involve more generally, you can also visit www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully Patrick Harty Headteacher

OLD TOWN

HALLOWEEN

Children’s arts and crafts

Street entertainment

Fancy dress competition on stage,* hosted by Radio Dacorum

Rides open from 3.30pm

Stage opening at 4pm

Fireworks at 7.30pm (Gadebridge Park)

*Fancy dress competition times: under 7s 4.30pm, 8-11 year olds 5pm,over 12s 5.30pm, family group 6pm

Old Town High Street, Hemel Hempstead www.dacorum.gov.uk/halloween

Party 2016 Sunday 30 October

Ride the ghost train if you dare or one of the other many rides